Wednesday, 14 December 2016

Aftershocks have driven nearly 100,000 from their homes after last week’s deadly earthquake in Indonesia

Photo Daily MailInternational disaster agencies reported
the number of people displaced by last week’s killer earthquake in Indonesia
has jumped to nearly 100,000 people as aftershocks of the magnitude 6.5 quake
continue to drive people from their homes, The Associated Press reported
Tuesday. An official for the organization said almost 100 aftershocks had
struck the area since last Wednesday’s deadly magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit
Sigli in Indonesia leaving many dead. The major quake struck off the north-east
Coast of Sumatra Island, where dozens of buildings have collapsed and many
people are feared trapped under rubble. In 2004, the same area was devastated
by a tsunami that killed more than 160,000 people in Indonesia alone.

The National Disaster Management Agency
(BNPB) announced Saturday that displaced Acehnese in Pidie Jaya and Bireun
regencies were in dire need of clean water and family-sized tents following a
strong earthquake in the province.

“After the earthquake the groundwater wells
went dry; the water became shallow and black. Therefore clean water is the most
needed now,” Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, BNPB’s spokesperson said in a press
conference as quoted by Antara news agency.

The earthquake is responsible for 102
deaths and nearly 900 injuries, the report said. It destroyed or damaged more
than 11,000 buildings, mainly homes, but also schools and dozens of mosques.